Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) invites the community to a free in‐person and live‐streamed presentation, “Discovering the Wild Bees of Northern New Mexico”, 6-7 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, at the Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium. The program will be led by Olivia Carril, a renowned wild bee researcher, educator, and co‐author of The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.
New Mexico is home to nearly 1,000 species of wild bees, making it one of the most important regions for bee diversity in North America. Many of these species live quietly among us in forests, deserts, grasslands, and even neighborhood gardens. In this engaging talk, Carril will introduce audiences to the extraordinary world of native bees and the plants that rely on them.
Through stories from field research, striking images of native bees, and approachable science, Carril will explore:
- How wild bees shape the landscapes of the Southwest
- The surprising and varied ways bees live their lives
- Why New Mexico is a hotspot for bee biodiversity
- Practical ways individuals and communities can support pollinators
About the Presenter:
Olivia Carril works across the western United States documenting bee biodiversity and collaborating with land managers and scientists on conservation efforts. In addition to her research, she teaches middle school science at the Santa Fe Girls’ School, where she shares her passion for ecology and the natural world with young learners. Carril is dedicated to helping people see their surroundings in new ways by revealing the remarkable diversity of wild bees that often go unnoticed.
This program is presented in partnership with Bee City Los Alamos and is a part of PEEC’s ongoing effort to connect the community with the rich ecological stories of northern New Mexico and to inspire stewardship of the landscapes we share. Bee City Los Alamos is a community outreach project designed to unite people to make their communities better for pollinators, in particular native bees, by adding high-quality habitat and reducing pesticides.
For more information, visit PEEC’s website at peecnature.org/events. Stay connected on social media for updates on each week’s activities.
About PEEC:
PEEC was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts several interest groups, from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.